Best Kids Parties: Aviation

As soon as my mom snatched up the coolest wooden rocking airplane at a garage sale for my boys last year, I knew we had to have an airplane/travel party for Arlo's first birthday.

It was probably one of the most fun parties I've ever planned because just about everything I used for the party I either made or found in various places in our house. We're talking LOW budget.

I gathered maps, old cameras, and little suitcases for the tablescape. Even the aviator cap was made from a free pattern I found online and some scrap leather my husband had leftover from a past project. My sister made the amazing ombre "sky" cake along with the tiny red airplane topper (using craft foam, toothpicks and tiny buttons for the wheels).

We kept it very simple and with the theme, serving tiny sandwiches, pretzels, and lemonade tp the party goers.

I have to say that my favorite part of the whole party was the sky backdrop made out of a tuquoise sheet and clouds out of polyfill. Arlo and the guests (even some adults) had a great time "flying" for the pics!

Thanks Meridith! Readers, enjoy more pictures of this fun party at Smitty Baby and Flickr.